The 6 of Us.....

Celebrate...Celebrate!

2011-12-10T12:40:00.001-08:00

Why does a 7 year old dress up in a Star Trek costume on December 10th? Why to be in a Christmas Play of course. I don't even know why you had to ask! This was the dress rehearsal (Jack's first). You will notice him in the front row. Learning as he goes! The kids did great. And if you are wondering why there is a bride, and an army guy and so on, it is because they are all toys in a toy store!Jack has the distinction of dying on stage (which he does with the greatest of flair!) which we will post soon (and by soon, I don't mean next summer, I promise!)

Jack is the "red shirt" Star Trek figure in the front row!

A Southern California Christmas Tree

2011-12-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

No Snow, no traipsing through the woods, or charming lot to "chop down our own tree"... I was actually a bit sad because this year, in an effort to be as "budget minded" as possible we went the Costco Christmas Tree route. Yes, it is true. A tree bought at a warehouse.

In years past, we had already "compromised" the charm of the Christmas Tree pursuit by switching from the traditional lot to the Home Depot. But at least there, we could still go, get some hot cocoa, and choose a tree.

The Costco experience is slightly less picturesque...1. Go inside, battle the lines by the beef jerky, and pay your requisite fee2. Return to car, wait for 22 shoppers to walk behind your car, back out and drive to the enormous semi in the back of the lot.3. Drive up, hand receipt out window, and have a tree thrown on the top of the car.4. Drive away.

To my delight, the tree is gorgeous, a tall noble fir. And, as an added bonus it was way too big for the house...

Providing us with this unforeseen, but much cherished, "charming, picturesque moment" of Daddy and Sons sawing "down" the tree.Let the merriment begin!

Can't (shouldn't) Complain...

2011-07-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Jane has heretofore avoided the waterline at all costs. Staying on dry sand and hovering near me. This was the day she found out about the joy of the water!

Big sister had no problem showing her how it is done! I secretly love the dance of joy she does...wish I could have those moments back sometimes!

Sister Love......

A New Endeavor

2011-06-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

For anyone that knows me, this must seem like a mistake. But, make no mistake, this is no mistake!

I have approximately 207 days until I run in a half marathon (run is a very ambitious word for me to be using at this time).

My dearest friends from college have thrown down the gauntlet (Tanya), and we are doing it together. Pretty sure they will have time to finish, go get some blendeds (not a real word but very real to this group) and come back to pick me up at the finish line. So, as of this minute, I can "run" (where it says run read "walk/jog"), a 5k in about 52 minutes.

How I wish we were only running a 5k!

I will keep y'all updated on my progress...

A Trial (in more ways than one)

2011-06-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is our TV stand...yes, we removed the TV, yes those are dozens of library books, yes I am crazy.

We are going to endeavor to have a "reading" summer. Chad valiantly took the TV to the outdoor office last night. The surprise for the kids this morning was empty baskets just dying to be filled with books.

We are about 9 hours in and it already feels like an eternity!

We didn't do this as some moral, or spiritual statement, we really just felt like it would "step our game" a little if we removed what has become a family crutch (where it says family read "mom's").

Someone is sick....TV, mom needs a shower....TV, mom needs to check email (facebook)....TV, it's 11am....TV. You get the picture.

SO, think of us, pray for us, that we make it through our summer "crutch" free! And that we discover the pure joy of Little House in the Big Woods, Redwall, Hardy Boys...you name it.

(P.S. if you are feeling really bad for me, just know that we have a DVD player in our car, and if worse comes to worst, we can have a "drive-in" day :))

The Daddy Daughter Dance (a.k.a. two little princesses go to the ball with their "Daddy Prince")

2011-06-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

Baseball, schmaseball, Friday came and it was all about the dresses!

Two little girls were excited ALL day and the phrase Daddy Daughter Dance became almost one word as they said it over and over! Baths, nails, hair, (a smidge of lip gloss...

You must note...Big smile, but eyes full of tears...quite a little drama getting the hair all smooth, she is proud as proud, but it was sad as sad!

and BIG SIGH, the fancy dresses and they are ready to go!

A good time was had by ALL....

Then there was THUNDER...

2011-06-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Not to be outdone, Jackson, our 6 year old, quickly became known as "slugger" on his 5 & 6 year old team...Thunder!

Sauntering up, receiving 1 or 2 "Coach Pitches" and this kid hit the ball EVERY time!

This is what we call "almost" Baseball Ready....to be fair the pace is slow...excruciatingly slow...so Jack's mind, legs...thoughts..tend to wander during fielding time!

The coveted trophy...the huge smile...the darling dimples...my boy.

Our Little Indian...

2011-06-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

Baseball Season 2010/2011

From 3rd Base, to Centerfield...this boy was breathing baseball this season!

Absolutely loving every minute of this season, we were so proud to watch the Indians face all their fears of being the "youngest" team in their division!

They started out a bit overwhelmed, and came back to tie for Division Champs!

Here's our Floppy Haired Kid, clutching the hard won trophy!

Indeed...Easter Sunday!

2011-04-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Our church had Easter in the park this year, or as our Pastor called it "Easterpalooza". Sunrise service, Easter Egg Hunt, 10am service! Chad was there for all of it (the joy of working in ministry..truly). There were about 1,200 people at each service and hundreds of kids at the egg hunt. The church rented a huge stage (hence the -palooza reference) that actually had hydraulics, worship and preaching were wonderful and we felt really blessed as we spent Easter morning with family and friends.

Loving on Cousins and Gunnings!!

Forced love before they were free to go and do their mad hunt for eggs filled with candy! (And scripture) I guess that should read eggs filled with scripture (and candy)...

It was down to Newport Coast for Easter Dinner with the whole family!
A shot with Daddy before setting off to find their baskets!

Ready...set...wander...

Had to include a shot of our dearest friends...they have Seattle in their hearts, and when I saw this pic I felt like they are dressing the part already!! Fingers crossed for them that this is their last holiday in SoCal (even though it breaks my heart just a little)

The boys got some new shades in their baskets...they are feeling pretty cool.

This is how we all felt at the end of this blessed day!

Newport Coast April 20th, 2011

2011-04-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

Pre-K Runway

2011-04-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Big Sister Austen got a hold of the camera....and did a photo shoot..

Jane obliged my modeling for her...

I love how she begins to realize that she is the subject of this Toddler Runway Expose...

The popsicle was just a prop!

Not sure what she was doing with her hand here...clearly she is sure she is truly cool.

I look forward to more "shoots" from these two burgeoning artists!

New Life

2011-04-12T20:27:00.001-07:00

Pure Joy...

Grandpa George took the girls to the Museum of Natural History today, to see the butterfly pavilion exhibit.

Nothing says "spring" like butterflies fluttering everywhere!

Miss Austen emerged as a butterfly whisperer....she spotted them, approached them...

and coaxed them to her hand.

And the butterflies liked her back! Live hair bows...it's the new thing.

Miss Jane wasn't quite as successful as her sister at coaxing the butterflies onto her hand, so this moment was a big one for her!

Beginning Again...

2011-03-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

So it has been about 2 years since I have posted here, I thought I had better put some pictures of the kids that show them in their current age group!

Jane is now a whopping 3 years old! Saucy and telling everyone where to go, what to do and how to do it. I take no responsibility for these traits.

Then there is Miss Austen, 5, and full of drama and passion and drama....and volume. She looks pensive here, but don't be deceived, nothing this little lady does is quiet! All the joy and all the pain (serious, serious pain) is lived out loud for us all to hear. And we love every second (almost).

And here is Sir Jackson, now 6 years old, shown here with the newest addition to our family, cousin Avery! Jackson is our noble knight of a little man. Shares, gives, loves, helps everyone....well, everyone except Austen. But they are working on that!

Not to be forgotten is the "firstborn", Benjamin, now a whopping 8 and 1/2 (critical 1/2). He is the leader of our little pack of cubs in just about every way. In adventures, school, scrapes, you name it! This is him attempting to look cool.

So, in light of the fact that I have now been off of Facebook for a stunning 2 months, I can only believe that I will much more consistent with posting here! I know that the grandparents (especially the ones that live so far away) will be glad to see some pics again.

2009-06-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

2009-01-19T20:40:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox invite

New York, New York...

2008-11-15T17:04:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn Bridge
I am pretending to be tall...well pretending to appear tall...Nissa is helping with that endeavor by ducking just a smidge...such a good friend!!! This was by far the coldest day, but don't worry, the brisk walk across the bridge kept us toasty.

The Met
Definitely a highlight among a trip full of highlights. The Met was all that I had hoped. I wandered with my headset for almost 2 hours and could have easily camped out for a few dozen more!

Rockefeller Center
Definitely one of our more touristy moments, but what is a trip to the Big Apple without a few moments of cheese? If you look close you can see the skaters down on the famous rink!

It's Fall and for the George's that means Pumpkin Time!

2008-11-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

So right about October 1st (maybe even a little before) we...and by that I mean "I", get pumpkin fever! So as soon as it is seasonally appropriate we head off to the patch. This year we got to go with Gracie, Shannon, and Aunt Laurie..There were goats, chickens, pigs you name it! Fun was had by all, except one really sad chicken.

Can you tell this little man has seen Peter Pan several hundred times?

Our annual pumpkin carving party celebrated its 5th anniversary this year. The boys have grown up with this tradition and we love it. Seen here is Jack and Silas...Jack wasn't around for the first party and Silas has been at all of them!

Jane got in on the Pumpkin Fun....

This little man worked hard on the "Scariest Pumpkin Ever"

Our Budding Ballerina...

2008-10-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yup, our ballerina is gaining skills....

She Leaps...

She Listens...

She Looks....

She's Lovely

Saying Goodbye to Summer and Hello to Fall!!!

2008-09-02T09:52:00.001-07:00

Someone wise said last night that Labor Day is a perfect holiday as it carries with it no "impossible expectations" (i.e. New Year's and Valentine's!!) She went on to say that as such, whatever happens on this day is just gravy. Yesterday was the perfect "gravy". An impromtu dinner 'al fresco' at the Branch's. Kids swung on tree swings, Jane gurgled, we marveled at Taylor's 42 mile bike marathon and we even caught a rare glimpse of Uncle Jonathan...the only missed was Uncle Joe and we know he was greatly saddened to miss this event!!

Lake Trinity

2008-09-02T09:41:00.001-07:00

A fun time was had by all....and by all I mean, aunts, uncles, grandpas, grandmas, kids, parents, friends....we all descended on Lake Trinity. And after a shaky first day (thanks to the boat from 1979) we hit the ground...or water...running. There was swimming, skiing, eating, marshmallows, eating, walks, rides, laughing, crying...everything that you could want in a family vacation. Thank you Lord for blessing our family and our summer!

Beach Day With Aunt Deborah....

2008-08-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Somebody give this boy a surfboard...

Sshhh....don't tell Austen that she has finally braved the water, she was lured out by friends and playtime and didn't realize she had unconsciously conquered her fears.

21 Sand Castles mom.....I counted.....3 times! Faithful worker for hire!

Happy Birthday To You...

2008-08-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

It's Birthday Time!

2008-08-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

August is a full Birthday month for us...Benjamin...Stephen....Jackson....all in a week! This year was tough...but to keep tradition alive we squeezed in their "joint" moment. We had the winning combination of, vacation approaching, a wedding coming, a visiting ballerina, and no naps, and so with many tears and more tears we managed at least a "Happy Birthday"!

Baby Ballerinas....

2008-08-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

Miniature Friends...Miniature Ballerinas...Huge Fun, Incredibly Sweet!

All the fun you thought having a girl would be and more....

This was just the hallway...

Aaaahhhh At Last....

2008-08-08T23:20:00.001-07:00

Can we just let you all know how overjoyed we are at the happiness in the picture above!?! Our friend and brother has found his "lobster".

Pool Time...

2008-08-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

Aaahhh Summer.... the wonderful combination of the smell of pool chemicals, the "can't keep your eyes open" tired from an all day swim fest! As sweet as those memories are from childhood....it just gets better when you get to watch your own little ones discover it!

Here We Go..Again

2008-08-05T20:44:00.001-07:00

K, I am going to go out in faith and start another blog....

Here we hope to keep you all abreast of all the truly exciting George Goings On. Things like trips to the library, beach, backyard...really it will be riveting so come back often!!